JP2007237516A - Thermal transfer recording medium and printed matter using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct thermal transfer recording which enables easy attainment of ample gradation properties in a desired range of image density, provides sufficient adhesion to a base such as paper and excels in the light resistance and heat resistance of an image. <P>SOLUTION: A thermal transfer ink image accepting layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent. The content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted in accordance with recording sensitivity demanded from the layer, and the crosslinkable resin and a resin used for an adhesive layer contain the same resin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer recording technique using a melt type or sublimation type thermal transfer ink, and in particular, a thermal transfer recording medium having a thermal transfer ink image receiving layer capable of forming a thermal transfer ink image, and a thermal transfer ink on the thermal transfer ink image receiving layer. The present invention relates to a printed matter obtained by recording an image and thermally bonding it onto a substrate such as paper or plastic.

  Examples of a method for recording a face image on a personal authentication medium such as a license, an employee's card, a membership card, or a credit card include a melt type thermal transfer recording method and a sublimation type thermal transfer recording method.

  In the sublimation thermal transfer recording method, a sublimation thermal transfer ink ribbon formed by coating a support sheet with a sublimation or heat transferable dye so as to allow thermal transfer and an ink receiving layer made of a thermoplastic resin capable of receiving the sublimation dye are overlapped. In addition, a sublimation thermal transfer ink ribbon can be selectively heated based on predetermined image data using a thermal head or the like, and a desired image can be sublimated and recorded on a recording medium. According to this method, it is widely known that a color image rich in gradation can be easily recorded. However, in the sublimation thermal transfer recording method, a recorded image that can express rich gradation by the recording sensitivity determined by the binder resin or dye of the ink ribbon and the recording sensitivity determined by the thermal characteristics of the thermoplastic resin layer. The density area is limited, and there is a problem that it is difficult to match an image density area mainly used for recording with a recorded image density area that can express rich gradation.

  On the other hand, the melt-type thermal transfer recording method uses a transfer ribbon obtained by coating a support sheet with a melt-type thermal transfer ink obtained by dispersing a pigment or dye in a heat-meltable binder such as resin or wax. Then, this is selectively heated using a thermal head or the like based on predetermined image data, and the melt-type thermal transfer ink is transferred to the recording medium together with the binder to record a desired image. According to this method, it is possible to select inorganic and organic pigments that have sufficiently better light resistance than sublimation thermal transfer inks. Further, by devising a resin, wax, or the like used for the binder, it is possible to provide an image that is hardly scratched and has excellent solvent resistance. In addition, functional materials such as fluorescent pigments and magnetic materials can be mixed in the melt-type thermal transfer ink, and thus a special ink with high security can be obtained. In the case of the sublimation thermal transfer recording method, a recording medium and a sublimation type thermal transfer ink must be used in combination with an appropriate ink receiving layer. In the melt type thermal transfer recording method, the surface has adhesion to a binder. Any recording medium having a recording medium can be used, and a wide variety of recording media can be selected. However, the melt-type thermal transfer recording method basically uses ink adhesion and uses a dot area gradation method in which gradation recording is performed by changing the size of the transferred dots. There is a problem that the gradation property is poor because the unevenness of the film is very sensitive, and the unevenness causes a transfer failure and the dot size cannot be controlled well.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, a method using a recording medium having a porous image receiving layer has been proposed. In this method, micropores are provided in the image receiving layer of the recording medium, and the melt-type thermal transfer ink is permeated and transferred into the micropores. According to this method, an image rich in gradation can be obtained. However, the porous image receiving layer generally has low mechanical strength, and the surface is damaged by contact with various rollers and a conveyance path in the printing apparatus. Will cause image defects.

  Further, a method using a recording medium in which a transparent image receiving layer is provided on a film substrate has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this method, an image is formed on the image receiving layer, and the obtained image and the image receiving layer are thermocompression-bonded or thermally transferred to a base material such as plastic to obtain a printed matter. According to this method, since no fine holes are provided in the image receiving layer, the mechanical strength of the surface is high, the smoothness of the resin layer surface is further improved, and the affinity with the ink layer is improved, Even in the melt type thermal transfer system, an image having rich gradation can be formed.

  However, in such a melt-type thermal transfer recording method, recording capable of expressing a rich gradation by the recording sensitivity determined by the binder resin or pigment of the ink ribbon and the recording sensitivity determined by the thermal characteristics of the image receiving layer. The image density area is limited, and there is a problem that it is difficult to match the image density area used for character recording and the recorded image density area that can express rich gradation.

Moreover, in order to adhere to the base material for both the sublimation type thermal transfer recording method and the melt type thermal transfer recording method, it is necessary to provide a thermoplastic resin layer on the base material side, but the adhesive strength is sufficient depending on the thermoplastic resin used. In some cases, the light resistance and heat resistance of the image are remarkably lowered due to the interaction with dyes and pigments.
Japanese Patent Application No. 4-182166

  The present invention is capable of easily obtaining a rich gradation in a desired image density region, having sufficient adhesion to a substrate, and performing thermal transfer recording with excellent light resistance and heat resistance of an image. is there.

The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention includes a support and a melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer provided on the support, and an image layer is formed on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer using the melt-type thermal transfer ink. Then, a thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed material by applying a base material on which an adhesive layer is formed and thermally bonding the adhesive layer to the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer via the image layer,
The melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, The crosslinkable resin and the resin used for the adhesive layer contain the same resin.

The printed matter of the present invention includes a melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, an image layer formed on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer using the melt-type thermal transfer ink, and the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer through the image layer. An adhesive layer provided, and a substrate provided on the adhesive layer,
The melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, The crosslinkable resin and the resin used for the adhesive layer contain the same resin.

Another thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention includes a support and a sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer provided on the support, and an image layer is formed on the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer using the sublimation thermal transfer ink. After the formation, a thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed material by applying a base material on which an adhesive layer is formed and thermally bonding the adhesive layer to the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer through the image layer. And
The sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer, The crosslinkable resin and the resin used for the adhesive layer contain the same resin.

The printed matter of the present invention includes a sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer, an image layer formed on the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer using sublimation type thermal transfer ink, and the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer via the image layer. An adhesive layer provided, and a substrate provided on the adhesive layer,
The sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer, The crosslinkable resin and the resin used for the adhesive layer contain the same resin.

  By using the present invention, rich gradation can be easily obtained in a desired image density region.

  The thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention has a support and a thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer formed thereon, and the image layer is formed after forming the image layer on the thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer using the thermal transfer ink. A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed material by applying a base material on which an adhesive layer is formed on a thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, and thermally bonding the adhesive layer to the thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer via the image layer. And includes a support and a thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer provided on the support. The thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer contains at least a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the resin used for the adhesive layer is the same. Contains resin.

  Here, the same resin means containing a resin component having the same repeating unit as a main component. Moreover, a main component means the thing with the largest content among the resin components which comprise resin here.

  As the thermal transfer ink, a melt type thermal transfer ink or a sublimation type thermal transfer ink can be used.

  As the image receiving layer, a melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer can be used when a melt type thermal transfer ink is used, and a sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer can be used when a sublimation type thermal transfer ink is used.

  Further, the printed matter of the present invention is a printed matter using the thermal transfer recording medium, wherein the thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer on which an image layer made of the thermal transfer ink is formed is thermally bonded to a substrate via the image layer. It is.

  This printed material contains the same resin as the thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer provided on the base material and the base material by transferring the thermal transfer recording medium on which the image layer is formed onto the base material and peeling the support. A printed matter is obtained that includes an adhesive layer, an image layer formed of thermal transfer ink, and a thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer on which the image layer is received and adhered to the adhesive layer together with the image layer.

  When the support is not peeled off, the base material, an adhesive layer provided on the base material and containing the same resin as the image receiving layer, an image layer formed by thermal transfer ink, and the image layer are received, A printed matter having a thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer and a support bonded to the adhesive layer together with the image layer is obtained. This support may function as a protective layer, for example.

  In the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, the thermal characteristics of the image-receiving layer using this resin can be controlled by crosslinking the resin with a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent and adjusting the addition amount of the crosslinking agent. As the thermal characteristics, for example, when the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is heated at the time of image formation or thermal transfer, the thermal melting characteristics, the thermal transfer characteristics, etc., the more the content of the crosslinking agent, the more For example, melting and transferring at a high temperature. By controlling such characteristics, desired recording sensitivity can be obtained.

  Thereby, rich gradation can be easily obtained in a desired image density region.

  The image density region is measured by a reflection densitometer and is 0.2 to 1.2 for a face image or the like, and 1.5 or more for a character or the like.

  In addition, the adhesive layer containing the same resin as the thermal transfer ink image receiving layer provided on the base material ensures sufficient adhesive strength that cannot be obtained only by the adhesive action of the base material alone, and at the same time, the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer. And the melt-type thermal transfer ink are not affected, so that the light resistance and heat resistance of the image can be prevented from being affected.

  Further, the present invention can perform thermal transfer recording with sufficient adhesion to a substrate and excellent light resistance and heat resistance of an image.

  In the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, the thermal characteristics of the resin layer can be controlled by crosslinking the resin with a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent and adjusting the amount of the crosslinking agent added. As the thermal characteristics, for example, when the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is heated at the time of image formation or thermal transfer, the heat melting characteristics, the thermal transfer characteristics, etc., the more the content of the crosslinking agent, the more For example, melting and transferring at a high temperature. By controlling such characteristics, it is possible to control the desired recording sensitivity and sticking to the ink ribbon for forming the image layer.

  In addition, the adhesive layer containing the same resin as the image receiving layer provided on the substrate ensures sufficient adhesion that cannot be obtained only by the adhesive action of the substrate alone, and at the same time, the image receiving layer and the sublimation thermal transfer ink. Since the affinity with the dye is not affected, the light resistance and heat resistance of the image can be prevented from being affected.

  According to the present invention, by using a crosslinkable resin as a main component on the substrate side in the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer or sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer crosslinked with the crosslinkable resin and the crosslinking agent. Desired recording sensitivity can be easily obtained, and a printed matter having good adhesion to the adhesive layer of the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer or the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer can be obtained.

  If the crosslinkable resin is not crosslinked with a crosslinking agent, the thermal characteristics of the thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer are uniformly controlled, and the desired recording sensitivity cannot be obtained. Further, when sublimation type thermal transfer ink is used, a resin contained in the ink and a resin contained in the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer may stick to each other and a normal image may not be obtained.

  Also, if the adhesive layer provided on the substrate side is not the same as the crosslinkable resin component contained in the thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, the substrate and the thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer cannot be sufficiently bonded, and the printed matter cannot be obtained. When bent, peeling occurs between the substrate and the image receiving layer.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, this thermal transfer recording medium 10 has a structure in which a resin layer 2 mainly composed of a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent is laminated on a support sheet 1 made of, for example, a polyester film.

  For this melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 2, for example, a resin coating solution containing this resin and a suitable solvent is prepared, and this resin coating solution is used for gravure coating, reverse coating, die coating, wire bar coating, hot melt coating, etc. It can be formed by applying and drying a coating solution using a method such as coating and drying.

  The thermal transfer recording medium 10 can be thermally bonded to a substrate such as paper or plastic after an image is formed on the thermal transfer recording medium 10 using a melt-type thermal transfer ink.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a printed matter obtained using the thermal transfer recording medium 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the printed material 11 has a configuration in which an image layer 4 formed of a melt-type thermal transfer ink and a melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 2 are sequentially laminated on a base material 5 made of, for example, paper.

  The image layer 4 can be formed by applying a melt type thermal transfer ink ribbon to the surface of the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer 2 of the thermal transfer recording medium 10 and performing thermal transfer recording using a heating recording means such as a thermal head. it can. After the formation of the image layer 4, the base material 5 having the adhesive layer 3 formed on one surface thereof is disposed on the image layer 4, and is passed through, for example, a heat roller that can apply heat and pressure simultaneously. By heating the layer 2 as a whole, or by selectively heating it in a desired pattern using, for example, a hot stamping machine or the like, the molten thermal transfer ink image receiving layer 2 is entirely or partially formed on the substrate 5 with the adhesive layer 3. Can be heat bonded. Then, the printed material 11 shown in FIG. 2 is obtained by peeling the support 1.

  In the thermal transfer recording medium according to the present invention, an intermediate layer of an easy-adhesive layer and a release layer can be further provided between the support and the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer.

  As described above, when the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is thermally bonded onto a substrate and the support provided thereon is peeled and removed, an additional release layer is provided to melt the support and the support. Peeling from the mold thermal transfer ink image receiving layer can be made better.

  Moreover, a support body can be used as a protective layer, without peeling. When the support is used as a protective layer, the adhesion between the support and the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer can be further improved by providing an easy adhesion layer.

  The easy-adhesion layer is a layer that can sufficiently adhere the support 1 to the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 2, for example, at the time of forming the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, preferably at a dissolution temperature or a drying temperature of the coating solution. Say.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another example of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the thermal transfer recording medium 20 is provided with a release layer 6 made of, for example, wax and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin between the support 1 and the melt-type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer 2. Except for this, it has the same configuration as the thermal transfer recording medium shown in FIG.

  The release layer 6 can be formed by, for example, gravure coating, reverse coating, die coating, wire bar coating, hot melt coating, or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the configuration of the printed matter obtained using the thermal transfer recording medium 20 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, this printed matter 21 has the same configuration as the printed matter 11 shown in FIG. 2 except that the release layer 6 is provided on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 2.

  Here, the release layer 6 is provided on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 2, but even if this release layer 6 remains partially on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 2, the support 1. At the same time, it may be peeled off. When the printed matter is removed, the obtained printed matter has the same configuration as the printed matter 11 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of still another example of the thermal transfer recording medium of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the thermal transfer recording medium 30 is provided with an easy-adhesion layer 7 made of, for example, vinyl acetate resin, polyester resin, acrylic resin, or the like between the support 1 and the melt-type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer 2. Except for this, it has the same configuration as the thermal transfer recording medium shown in FIG.

  The easy adhesion layer 7 can be formed by, for example, gravure coating, reverse coating, die coating, wire bar coating, hot melt coating, or the like.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the configuration of the printed matter obtained using the thermal transfer recording medium 20 shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, this printed matter 31 has the same configuration as the printed matter 11 shown in FIG. 2 except that the easy-adhesion layer 7 and the support 1 are sequentially provided on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer 2.

  As for resin used for a peeling layer, it is desirable for the adhesive force with a support body to be adjusted moderately. When the adhesive force is excessively large, it becomes difficult to peel off the support after thermal bonding. If the adhesive force is too small, the support can be easily peeled off, but there is a tendency that an undesired resin layer that is not thermally bonded to the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer layer remains.

  Examples of the resin having an appropriate adhesive force suitable for the release layer include wax, vinyl acetate resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, polyester resin, and a mixture of these resins.

  As the wax used for the release layer, for example, polyethylene wax or carnauba wax can be preferably used. Specifically, Nippon Seiwa Co., Ltd. Hi-Mic-2065, Hi-Mic-1045, Hi-Mic-2045, PALVAX-1230, PALVAX-1330, PALVAX-1335, PALVAX-1430, BONTEX-0011, BONTEX-0100, BONTEX-2266 and the like.

  Specific examples of the vinyl acetate resin used in the release layer include Sakunol SN-04, Sakonol SN-04S, Sakonol SN-04D, Sakonol SN-09A, Sakonol SN-09T, Sakonol SN manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. -10, Sakonol SN-10N, Sakonol SN-17A, ASR CH-09, ASR CL-13, Clariant Polymer Co., Ltd. Movinyl DC, Daicel Chemicals Co., Ltd. Sebian A530, Sebian A700, Sebian A707, Sebian A710 , Sebian A712, Sebian A800 and the like.

  Specific examples of the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin used in the release layer include Evaflex 45X, Evaflex 40, Evaflex 150, Evaflex 210, Evaflex 220, and Evaflex manufactured by Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd. 250, Evaflex 260, Evaflex 310, Evaflex 360, Evaflex 410, Evaflex 420, Evaflex 450, Evaflex 460, Evaflex 550, Evaflex 560, Clariant Polymer Co., Ltd. Movinyl 081F, Sumitomo Chemical Evalate D3022, D3012, D4032, CV8030, Hirodine Industries, Ltd. Hirodine 1800-5, Hirodine 1800-6, Hirodine 1800-8, Hirodine 37 6, Hirodine 4309, Konishi Co., Ltd. bond CZ250, bond CV3105 and the like.

  Specific examples of the acrylic resin used for the release layer include: Sebian A45000, Sebian A45610, Sebian A46777, Sebian A4635, and Dairay BR-80, Dainar BR- manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. 83, dialnal BR-85, dialnal BR-87, dialnal BR-101, dialnal BR-102, dialnal BR-105, dialnal BR-106, and the like.

  Specific examples of the silicone resin used for the release layer include Tosguard 510 manufactured by Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.

  Specific examples of the polyester resin used in the release layer include Byron 200, Byron 220, Byron 240, Byron 245, Byron 280, Byron 296, Byron 530, Byron 560, Byron 600, Byronal MD1100 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. , Bayronal MD1200, Bayronal MD1245, Bayronal MD1400, Bayronal GX-W27, Elitel UE-3300, Elitel UE-3320, Elitel UE-3350, Elitel UE-3370, Elitel UE-3380, etc. manufactured by Unitika Ltd.

  The easy-adhesion layer is required to have a sufficient adhesive force between the base film and both the support and the resin layer. The resin that satisfies this requirement is selected according to the material of the support and the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, and examples thereof include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins, acrylic resins, polyester resins, and mixtures of these resins. It is done.

  As the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin used for the easy-adhesion layer, Mitsui DuPont Polychemical Co., Ltd. Evaflex 45X, Evaflex 40, Evaflex 150, Evaflex 210, Evaflex 220, Evaflex 250, Evaflex 260, Evaflex 310, Evaflex 360, Evaflex 410, Evaflex 420, Evaflex 450, Evaflex 460, Evaflex 550, Evaflex 560, Clariant Polymer Co., Ltd., Molyblon 081F, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. ) Evertate D3022, D3012, D4032, CV8030, Hirodine Industries, Ltd. Hirodine 1800-5, Hirodine 1800-6, Hirodine 1800-8, Hirodine 3706, Rodain 4309, Konishi Co., Ltd. bond CZ250, and the like for like bond CV3105.

  The acrylic resin used in the easy-adhesion layer is made by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Dialal BR-53, Dialnal BR-64, Dialnal BR-77, Dialnal BR-79, Dialnal BR-90, Dialnal BR -93, Dialnal BR-101, Dialnal BR-102, Dialnal BR-105, Dialnal BR-106, Dialnal BR-107, Dialnal BR-112, Dialnal BR-115, Dialnal BR-116 , Dialnal BR-117, Dialnal BR-118 and the like.

  Examples of the polyester resin used in the easy adhesion layer include Byron 103, Byron 220, Byron 240, Byron 245, Byron 270, Byron 280, Byron 300, Byron 500, Byron 530, Byron 550, Byron 560, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. Byron 600, Byron 630, Byron 650, Unitika Co., Ltd. Elitel UE-3300, Elitel UE-3320, Elitel UE-3350, Elitel UE-3370, Elitel UE-3380 and the like can be mentioned.

  As the crosslinkable resin used for the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, for example, a polyester resin and a phenoxy resin can be used.

  Specific examples of the polyester resin used in the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer include, for example, Byron 200, Byron 220, Byron 240, Byron 245, Byron 280, Byron 296, Byron 530, Byron 560, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. Byron 600, Byronal MD1100, Byronal MD1200, Byronal MD1245, Byronal MD1400, Byronal GX-W27, Unitika Ltd. Elitel UE-3300, Elitel UE-3320, Elitel UE-3350, Elitel UE-3370, and Elitel UE-3380 Etc.

  Specific examples of the phenoxy resin used for the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer include PKHH, PKHJ, PKHW-35, PKHW-35R, PXKS-6994, PXKS-7000, and YP-, manufactured by Tohto Kasei Co., Ltd. 50, YP-50S, YP-40ASM40, YP-50EK35, YPB-40AM40 and the like.

  The cross-linking agent used for the melt type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is preferably an isocyanate compound. Specifically, for example, Coronate L, Coronate 2030, Coronate 2031, Coronate 330, Coronate 340, Coronate 3240, Coronate 3340, Coronate 2014, Coronate 1350, Coronate 2170, Coronate 2280, Coronate 2067, Coronate from Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd. EH, coronate HK, coronate 2094, coronate N, coronate HL, and the like.

  The amount of the crosslinking agent added to the crosslinkable resin used in the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is preferably 1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 2 to 10% by weight. If it is less than 5% by weight, the recording sensitivity tends to be too high and difficult to control, and if it exceeds 20% by weight, the recording sensitivity tends to be too low to produce a high density.

  Further, suitable combinations of the crosslinkable resin and the crosslinking agent used for the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer include Byron 200 and Coronate 2031, Byron 240 and Coronate HL.

  Particularly suitable examples include Byron 200 and Coronate HL. At this time, the amount of the crosslinking agent added to the crosslinkable resin is preferably 3 to 8% by weight.

  As the crosslinkable resin used for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, for example, a polyester resin and a phenoxy resin can be used.

  Specific examples of the polyester resin used for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer include, for example, Byron 200, Byron 220, Byron 240, Byron 245, Byron 280, Byron 296, Byron 530, Byron 560, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. Byron 600, Byronal MD1100, Byronal MD1200, Byronal MD1245, Byronal MD1400, Byronal GX-W27, Unitika Ltd. Elitel UE-3300, Elitel UE-3320, Elitel UE-3350, Elitel UE-3370, and Elitel UE-3380 Etc.

  Specific examples of the phenoxy resin used in the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer include PKHH, PKHJ, PKHW-35, PKHW-35R, PXKS-6994, PXKS-7000, manufactured by Toyo Kasei Co., Ltd. 50, YP-50S, YP-40ASM40, YP-50EK35, YPB-40AM40 and the like.

  Moreover, as a crosslinking agent used for a sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, for example, an isocyanate compound is preferable. Specifically, for example, Coronate L, Coronate 2030, Coronate 2031, Coronate 330, Coronate 340, Coronate 3240, Coronate 3340, Coronate 2014, Coronate 1350, Coronate 2170, Coronate 2280, Coronate 2067, Coronate from Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd. EH, coronate HK, coronate 2094, coronate N, coronate HL, and the like.

  The addition amount of the crosslinking agent to the crosslinkable resin used in the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is preferably 5 to 20% by weight, more preferably 2 to 10% by weight. If it is less than 5% by weight, thermal fusion with the ink ribbon tends to occur, and if it exceeds 30% by weight, the recording sensitivity tends to be too low to produce a high density.

  Examples of a suitable combination of a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent used for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer include:

  Particularly suitable examples include Byron 200 and Coronate 2031, Byron 240 and Coronate HL.

  Particularly preferable examples include PKHH and coronate HL. At this time, the amount of the crosslinking agent added to the crosslinkable resin is preferably 3 to 8% by weight.

  Further, the resin of the adhesive layer formed on the substrate used in the present invention is the same as the crosslinkable resin used for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer or the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer. Can be used without adding.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples.

Examples 1-3, Comparative Examples 1 and 2
Prepare a transparent polyester film (product model number: Lumirror Q27, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) with a thickness of 25 μm on which an easy-adhesion layer is formed, and prepare a melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer coating solution having the following composition on the polyester film surface. Using a gravure coater, the coating thickness after drying is applied to be 3 μm, each is heated and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form a melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, and a thermal transfer recording medium is obtained. It was.

Melting-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer coating solution Methyl ethyl ketone 40 parts by weight Toluene 40 parts by weight Cross-linkable resin shown in Table 1 20 parts by weight Cross-linking agent shown in Table 1 2 parts by weight Melting type thermal transfer of the obtained thermal transfer recording medium A commercially available melt-type thermal transfer color ink ribbon was applied on the ink image-receiving layer, and a color image was recorded with a 600 dpi thermal head to obtain an image layer.

  Next, an adhesive layer coating solution having the following composition is prepared on the surface of the card made of PET, and applied using a gravure coater so that the coating thickness after drying is 3 μm, respectively, and heated at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes. It dried and formed the contact bonding layer and obtained the card | curd base material with a contact bonding layer.

Adhesive layer coating solution for base material Methyl ethyl ketone 40 parts by weight Toluene 40 parts by weight 20 parts by weight of the resin shown in Table 1 Then, a card base material with an adhesive layer was applied onto the image layer, and the heat roller temperature was adjusted to 170 ° C. The product was passed through a laminator LPD2306City manufactured by Fuji Plastics Co., Ltd., and the thermal transfer recording medium and the base material were thermally bonded at a set thermal bonding speed to obtain a card-shaped printed matter having the same configuration as in FIG.

  The obtained printed matter was tested and evaluated for adhesive strength, gradation and light resistance between the thermal transfer recording medium and the substrate.

Adhesive strength test The adhesive strength was measured by performing a test of bending the card after thermal bonding. In the bending test, the case where the thermal transfer image-receiving layer was not peeled was evaluated as ◯, and the case where it was peeled off was evaluated as x.

  The results are shown in Table 2 below.

Gradation test The recorded image density of the obtained image was measured using a reflection densitometer RD-19A manufactured by Gretag Macbeth to evaluate the gradation. The case where the range of the recorded image density of 0.5 to 1.0, which is important for recording the face of a person, is changing at almost equal intervals is marked with ◯, and the case where it is not is marked with x.

  The results are shown in Table 2 below.

Lightfastness test The recorded image density of the obtained image was measured using a reflection densitometer RD-19A manufactured by Gretag Macbeth Co., Ltd., and Long Life Xenon Weather Meter WEL-75X-HC-BEC type manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd. The remaining ratio of the recorded image density was measured. The residual ratio of the recorded image density was obtained from the following equation.

Residual rate = (recorded image density after test) / (recorded image density before test) × 100
Thus, when the obtained test result was 70% or more, it was evaluated as “◯”, and when it was less than 70%, it was evaluated as “X”.

  The results are shown in Table 2 below.

Example 4
A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the addition amount of the crosslinking agent relative to the crosslinkable resin was changed as shown in Table 1 below.

  A card-like printed matter was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 using the obtained thermal transfer recording medium.

  About the obtained printed matter, it carried out similarly to Example 1, and tested and evaluated thermal adhesive strength, gradation, and light resistance.

The evaluation results are shown in Table 2 below. Examples 5-7, Comparative Examples 5 and 6
A transparent polyester film with a thickness of 25 μm (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc., product model number: Lumirror S10) is prepared, and the coating film thickness after drying is 1 μm with a release layer coating solution having the following composition on one side using a gravure coater. It was applied so that it was heated and dried at 120 ° C. for 2 minutes to form a release layer.

Release layer coating liquid composition Methyl ethyl ketone 35 parts by weight Toluene 35 parts by weight Vinyl acetate resin (trade name: Ceviane A700, manufactured by Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.)
20 parts by weight polyester resin (trade name: Byron 220, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.)
10 parts by weight Next, a sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the addition amount of the crosslinkable resin and the crosslinking agent is changed as shown in Table 3 below on the release layer. To obtain a thermal transfer recording medium.

  A card-like printed matter was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 using the obtained thermal transfer recording medium.

  The obtained printed matter was tested for and evaluated for thermal bond strength, gradation, and light resistance in the same manner as Example 1 after being attached to a sublimation thermal transfer ribbon during printing.

  The evaluation results are shown in Table 4 below.

Example 8
A thermal transfer recording medium was obtained in the same manner as in Example 5 except that the addition amount of the crosslinking agent relative to the crosslinkable resin was changed as shown in Table 3 below.

  The obtained printed matter was tested for and evaluated for thermal bond strength, gradation, and light resistance in the same manner as Example 1 after being attached to a sublimation thermal transfer ribbon during printing.

The evaluation results are shown in Table 4 below.

  As apparent from Table 1 and Table 2 above, when the resin composition used for the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer and the adhesive on the substrate are within the scope of the present invention, the desired gradation is easily obtained. Sufficient adhesive strength was obtained, and light resistance was good.

  However, as shown in Comparative Example 1, for example, it has been found that if the melt type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer does not contain a crosslinking agent, the gradation is deteriorated.

  Further, as shown in Comparative Example 2, it was found that when the adhesive on the substrate is a different resin, sufficient adhesive force cannot be obtained and the light resistance is deteriorated.

  Further, as shown in Examples 2 and 3, when the ratio of the crosslinkable resin and the crosslinking agent in the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer is outside the optimum range, it was found that the gradation is somewhat inferior.

  As apparent from Tables 3 and 4 above, when the resin composition used for the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer and the adhesive on the substrate are within the scope of the present invention, there is no sticking to the ink ribbon. The required gradation was easily obtained, sufficient adhesive strength was obtained, and light resistance was good.

  However, as shown in Comparative Example 3, for example, it has been found that if the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer does not contain a crosslinking agent, the gradation is deteriorated.

  Moreover, as shown in Comparative Example 4, it was found that when the adhesive on the substrate is a different resin, sufficient adhesive force cannot be obtained and the light resistance is deteriorated.

  Further, as shown in Examples 6 and 7, it was found that the gradation is inferior when the ratio of the crosslinkable resin and the crosslinking agent in the melt type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer is outside the optimum range.

  From the above examples and comparative examples, if the resin composition of the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer and the adhesive on the substrate are outside the scope of the present invention, the desired gradation, sufficient adhesive strength, and light resistance can be obtained. I knew that I couldn't get it.

  Also, if the resin composition of the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer and the adhesive on the substrate are outside the scope of the present invention, sticking to the ink ribbon occurs, the desired gradation, sufficient adhesive strength, It was found that light resistance could not be obtained.

Example 9
Using the same melt type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer coating solution as in Example 1 on the same transparent polyester film as in Example 1, the first melt type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer is formed only in the area where the color image is to be formed. did. Thereafter, except that the addition amount of the crosslinking agent to the crosslinkable resin is changed to 1 part by weight, the same melt type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer coating solution is used, and the first region is formed in a region other than the region where the color image is formed. A second melt type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer having higher recording sensitivity than the melt type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer was formed to obtain a thermal transfer recording medium.

  A color image was recorded on the first melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer of the obtained thermal transfer recording medium in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a color image layer.

  Furthermore, a commercially available melt-type thermal transfer monochrome ink ribbon was applied, and a character image was recorded with a 600 dpi thermal head to obtain a character image layer.

  On the same card substrate as in Example 1, the thermal transfer recording medium was thermally bonded in the same manner to obtain a card-shaped printed matter.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the printed matter obtained.

  As shown in the figure, the printed matter 41 is composed of a first melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 3 on the color image forming region 3 and a second melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 3 in the other region on the surface of the card base 5. 'Is formed. Further, a color image layer 4 is formed on the first melt-type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer 3, and a character image layer 8 is formed on the second melt-type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer 3 '.

Example 10
A color image is formed in the same pattern as in Example 9 on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer of the same thermal transfer recording medium as in Example 1, and then a color image is formed using the same monochrome ink ribbon as in Example 9. A character image was formed in an area other than the area with the same pattern as in Example 9.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the obtained printed matter.

  As shown in the figure, this printed matter 51 has the same configuration as the printed matter shown in FIG. 2 except that a character image 8 is formed on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer 3 in addition to the color image layer 4.

  When the images obtained in Example 9 and Example 10 were compared, it was found that in Example 9, the character image was transferred more clearly.

Schematic sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the thermal transfer recording medium according to the present invention Schematic sectional view showing the configuration of an example of a printed material according to the present invention Schematic sectional view showing the structure of another example of the thermal transfer recording medium according to the present invention Schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another example of printed matter according to the present invention Schematic sectional view showing the structure of still another example of the thermal transfer recording medium according to the present invention. Schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another example of printed matter according to the present invention Schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another example of printed matter according to the present invention Schematic sectional view showing the configuration of another example of printed matter according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols

        DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Support body, 2 ... Heat-meltable ink image-receiving layer, 3 ... Adhesive layer, 4 ... Image layer, 5 ... Base material, 6 ... Release layer, 7 ... Easy adhesion layer, 8 ... Character image layer 10, 20, 30 ... thermal transfer recording medium, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 ... printed matter

Claims (8)

An adhesive layer was formed after forming an image layer using the melt-type thermal transfer ink on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, including a support and a melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer provided on the support A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed material by applying a substrate and thermally bonding the adhesive layer to the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer via the image layer,
The melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, The crosslinkable resin and the resin used for the adhesive layer contain the same resin.   2. The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the crosslinking agent is added in an amount of 1 to 20% by weight in the crosslinkable resin. A melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, an image layer formed on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer using the melt-type thermal transfer ink, an adhesive layer provided on the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer via the image layer, And a substrate provided on the adhesive layer,
The melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the melt-type thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, The printed material, wherein the crosslinkable resin and the resin used in the adhesive layer contain the same resin.   The printed matter according to claim 3, wherein the crosslinking agent is added in an amount of 1 to 20% by weight in the crosslinkable resin. A support and a sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer provided on the support; and after forming an image layer on the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer using the sublimation thermal transfer ink, an adhesive layer is formed A thermal transfer recording medium for forming a printed material by applying a base material and thermally bonding the adhesive layer to the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer via the image layer,
The sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer, The crosslinkable resin and the resin used for the adhesive layer contain the same resin.   The thermal transfer recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the crosslinking agent is added in an amount of 1 to 30% by weight in the crosslinkable resin. A sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer, an image layer formed on the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer using a sublimation thermal transfer ink, an adhesive layer provided on the sublimation thermal transfer ink image-receiving layer via the image layer, And a substrate provided on the adhesive layer,
The sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer contains a crosslinkable resin and a crosslinking agent, and the content of the crosslinking agent is adjusted according to the recording sensitivity required for the sublimation type thermal transfer ink image receiving layer, The printed material, wherein the crosslinkable resin and the resin used in the adhesive layer contain the same resin.   The printed material according to claim 7, wherein an addition amount of the crosslinking agent in the crosslinkable resin is 1 to 30% by weight.

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